I know lap band seems like sort of a medical atkins diet. (in my opinion anyways) but is anyone following this diet pre-op and if so is it working for you?

I treid that for about 2 days , but i figured that since we are having such a limited amount a food why not enjoy it and try to just be normal for a while. im trying to stay low carb but not no carb and low cal but not too low cal lol . we will see how that works out

As a point of reference...

Atkins has NEVER been a No-Carb diet... it IS low-carb.

A very common misconception.

If you are watching refined carbs in your diet, and avoiding sugar, bread, Pasta and other "white" foods, then you are following Atkins guidelines, whether you realize it or not.

Just my 2 cents.

I know but when I was on it I was trying to stay well under 20 carbs a day now im trying to stay at about 40 still not crazy but im not trying to kill myself over it. I did it for about 6 months faithfuly after I had my son and i lost about 30 lbs but now i find myself sick of it when i try to start it up again . i duno im just a pain in the butt

Yeah, I know what you mean.

I don't "count" carbs anymore. I do, however avoid eating the "whites" as my primary meal.

What I've always been told to do is to eat Protein first, then veggies, and if I still have room... the starches. Most times, I am so full by that point, that I eat very little of them.

I use Splenda instead of sugar, soy flour for baking and flouring items, and dreamfields Pasta when the urge hits.

So, even though I am not counting, I'm still doing it.

Main difference is, when I DO eat carbs (and we all do have occasional treats) I end up more hungry later, and then I have to spend time (sometimes the next few days) fighting off the old urges for foods. Amazing how it does that! For me, it just reinforces the thoery (for me) that carbs are my enemy.

Down with White food!

I'd agree with Paul.

I was on the Atkins diet for a few months and it certainly does cause pounds to fall off. And It probably isn't too bad pre-op because you definately want a good Protein level to assist healing.

I'd add though that some things allowable on the Atkins diet aren't so great, in that fatty foods are allowable and I personally wouldn't recommend them.

As an unbanded individual losing weight I am on a low fat, low(ish) carb, moderate protein diet. I try and get fifty to sixty grams of protein a day and keep my carbs complicated / natural.

The Atkins diet can and does work. Is it the healthiest choice? Probably not. Would I do it pre-op? No.

Pre-op I'd be doing a "modified" Atkins. I'd avoid red and fatty meats, focusing on low fat complex carbs. Here's a list of what I'd do:

I would eat:

Fish

chicken

Protein supplements

Fresh vegatables / salad

Fruit (limited)

Vitamin Supplements

I wouldn't eat:

Flour products of any kind.

Refined sugars (or products that have them)

Fatty foods (cheese, Peanut Butter etc - while not "bad", too many calories from fat for my taste!).

And those, are my two cents!

ok! ok! We all agree carbs are the enemy lol!

Dawg is 100% on the money! As usual!

i did the atkins pre-op and lost 25 lbs and i did it post op combined with restriction and lost 90 lbs. sounds great. BUT here are the reasons i wont do atkins again and i wont diet again!

#1 CONSTIPATION!!! i developed this SEVERELY and as a girl who never had to think about her poop going to one who thought about it DAILY...it really is a painful long lasting thing you can develop. i am someone who LOVES veggies and i tried to counteract the constipation by eating spinach salads etc. but it was to no avail. i have been off atkins for a YEAR and 2 months and finally my poop is normal and daily again!

2. the fatty foods that are 'allowed'. regardless of if you eat a pack of bacon a day and are losing weight or if a pack of bacon lasts you a week- you enjoy those foods and develop the abilitly to eat more of them.

3. the whole diet mentaltity. 'i am on a diet better break it'. i used to think folks who never wanted to diet again were crazy! why not lose the weight then figure out your 'normal eating style' later. well i for one 'broke' my diet all the time the mental ass whippin you take is not worth it.

currently

i do defintally eat lower carbs. i have learned the advantage of that. the sugars in proccessed white starches trigger my hunger and sweet cravings. i buy the low carb Pasta although the store i used to buy 'dreamfields pasta' at quit carrieing it. where are you getting it?!?! i use unbleached flours, eat unproccessed foods, lots of veggies and i eat leaner meats. i personnally try not to eat much out of a can, freezer ready or anything thats open and eat (except fruits). its good because you have to chew more to eat your food and i think eat less. especially for us banded folks- we have to chew the heck out of it to get the texture right!

we typically indulge when we have people over for dinner. i only make as much as will be eaten, any leftovers get sent home with friends OR thrown away while STILL FULL! (that's imortant cause its easier to throw something away when you are full from it!)

portion control remains my best way to lose weight!

good luck either way!

Shelly is 100% right.

Heck, everyone is 100% right, as each person is different and reacts differently!

Good info from both Shelly and Dawg!

ok! ok! We all agree carbs are the enemy lol!

IMHO, I don't think carbs are the enemy, I think we need to chose the good carbs over the not so good ones - brown rice over white, sweet potato over white potato, whole grains products, Beans, veggies, fruits, etc. My band doctor said the same thing as Paul said.... Protein first, veggies and then carbs.

I also did atkins, lost a ton, gained it right back and then some When I am following a diet that has things I "can't" have, I automatically rebel.

Bottom line to wl is calories.

You can do atkins WITHOUT having a diet full of bacon. My friend did atkins and lost 60 lbs but I feel that there is a somewhat healthy way and a very unhealthy way to do atkins. She lost weight by eating more than a pound of bacon a day, but I don't eat bacon or things like that. I try and get my carbs from lettuce. I also read in the Atkins book that if you try and do less than 20 carbs that might keep you from losing weight. And you do have to start re-introducing carbs. 20 carbs is just he induction phase.

I Did The Atkins Diet For A While And Lost Weight. As For Any Diet, It Worked Only For The Time I Followed It, Then The Pounds Came Back.

However, The Positive Outcome Of My Atkins Experience Is That It Changed My Taste Bud Regarding Sweets. Things That I Used To Love (desserts) Were Not That Great After Atkins, Still Aren't Great Years Later.

Thanks For Reading And Ciao... For Now

This may not be a smart decision but since I know I can loose weight short term on Atkins. I have decided to follow it till I get my fill on sept 12. I have no restriction and can eat probably whatever I want. I know the first 6 weeks is not about losing weight but about healing, but since I am 3 weeks out and I can have food. This is what I"m gonna do. Hope I"m not making a dumb decision.

Have you researched SouthBeach....it is a modified Atkins.....it is written by a cardiologist in Southbeach, Miami and makes a lot of sense medically. Anyway....I've lost w/ that successfully....am I perfect at it NO WAY... he says if your craving/wanting something just take a small portion not the whole container!!!

God bless,

Melody

Banded 3/20/06 -77lbs

I actually have that book. I think I will sit down and read it. (Bought it 2 years ago, LOL) I have a week before my classes start so this will be my last chance anyways.